First of all, I would like to reflect on last weekend’s performance against Everton. I thought the Arsenal team was very focused and you cannot ask more than a 4 – 1 win on opening day, particularly when playing away from home.
I thought three players stood out. The first was Dennis Bergkamp. He played sublime through balls to José Reyes and Freddie Ljungberg, all the while looking very dangerous. He also scored a good goal.
The second player was Francesc Fabregas (Cesc). He is definitely one to look out for, although he is still very young. He does a lot of the simple things beautifully and is not at all fazed by playing at the top level.
In the second half, Cesc played a brilliant pass to Henry leaving the latter with only the defender to beat.
Henry, however, was overelaborate and the chance was lost.
Many doubted how the youngster would stand up to the test of playing against Everton’s Thomas Gravesen, saying that Gravesen would easily outmuscle him. Gravesen’s aggression however, was not enough to win him the midfield battle which Cesc won easily, robbing the Danish monster many times in the centre.
The third player was Reyes, who is starting to frighten me a lot. Before he came to the Premiership, people who watch the La Liga were telling me that he is most dangerous when he runs at defenders as he has excellent close control. This was there for all to see on Sunday. Wasn’t it nice to see him to score a headed goal from a cross? A true Arsenal rarity.
Freddie Ljungberg also deserves special mention. He made so many runs and must surely be one of the hardest working Arsenal players. It was pleasing to see him on the score sheet once again.
It was a good result, but it was also against a depleted Everton side. I must say I didn’t like their tactics at all: they seemed intent only on going in very hard, especially in some circumstances where they were getting frustrated as we were outplaying them.
Anyway, this Sunday we take on on Middlesbrough and this match is guaranteed to be difficult. Arsenal’s performance will mainly depend on the players’ reaction to the stupid, useless midweek friendlies which seem to serve only two purposes: to tire the players out and cause injuries.
Boro played fairly well against Newcastle at home for their first game. Ray Parlour looks to be comfortable playing in tandem with Boateng. The team looks very dangerous with Gaizka Mendieta and Bolo Zenden on the wings.
I think this game will be won in midfield and it will be a hard test for Cesc if Wenger decides to play him – one that the youngster will no doubt be relishing.
In front of their midfield, Middlesbrough also have some quality strikers in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Mark Viduka and Joséph Desire-Job. Arsenal’s entire defence will have to be on top of its game.
Another thing about Boro have in their favour is their manager Steve McClaren who will no doubt want to do his mate Alex Ferguson a favour by taking three points off us.
Middlesbrough’s key players:
JFH + Viduka – Key Men 1
Parlour + Boateng – Key Men 2
Zenden + Mendieta – Key Men 3
Southgate + Ehiogu – Key Men 4
Schwarzer – Key Man 5
Arsène Wenger’s dilemma is whether to play Reyes, who is looking lethal in attack, on the left wing or to leave him out in favour of Robért Píres in the same position.
A third option would be to replace Bergkamp, who is playing brilliantly, with Reyes up front and Píres on the left wing. It seems a difficult choice, but nice in a way too – certainly a dilemma I’d like to have.
Below is the best team line up I think Wenger should put out:
Lehmann
Lauren Cygan Touré Cole
Ljungberg Cesc / Flamini Gilberto Reyes
Bergkamp Henry
The reason why I would play Reyes is because he just has to be in starting 11. At half time, or early in the second half, I would take off Reyes, Bergkamp or Henry if any one or the other of them is not having a good game and replace him with Píres.
This is bound to be a fairly tough match and McClaren will want to get one over the Gunners, but hopefully Arsenal will prevail and claim all three points.